Antiprobe lock housing



Feb. l0, 1970 H. GREENWALD 3,494,159

ANTIPROBE LOCK HOUS ING Filed Aug. 13, 1968 mvENTo HARRY Gees/vw 1:1y

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ATTP/VEX United States Patent O M' 3,494,159 ANTIPROBE LOCK HOUSING Harry Greenwald, Whitestone, N.Y., assignor to Greenwald Industries, Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 13, 1968, Ser. No. 752,344 Int. Cl. Eb 17/14, 15/08 U.S. Cl. 70--423 5 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE The invention is directed to a housing for a lock which is adapted to receive the operating mechanism of a tumbler type lock therein. The face of the housing is provided with a keyway which axially deflects entry of a key, but which permits entry of the shank portion of the key to align itself with the operating mechanism of the lock after the key traverses a network of intercommunicating chambers, eccentrically disposed with relation to each other.

The present invention relates to a lock and more particularly to an antiprobe lock device constructed so as to require a key to enter the keyhole of the lock by way of a network of intercommunicating chambers or passages.

Axial tumbler type locks are particularly adapted for securing the coin boxes of coin operated machines, vending machines and like machines made particularly for public use. Such coin boxes are generally disposed in an opening formed in the casing of the machine disposed below a coin meter to receive the coins deposited therein, and the face portion of the lock is generally readily accessible from the exterior of the machine and in general view of the public.

Because of the fact that coin operated machines, and coin vending machines are frequently left unattended, the com boxes of such machines constitute a continual target for would-be thieves and vandals. It has thus been the experience of the operators of such coin operated machines that many attempts are made by unscrupulous persions to pick and/or tamper with the lock to obtain free access to the coins deposited in the box secured by the lock, and the loss and/or damage resulting therefrom constitutes a serious problem to such operators. To gain access to the coin boxes, the thief will punch out the center of the lock. He may pick the lock with the use of a probe or the like, he may use skeleton keys skillfully employed, or may make an impression of the key cylinder. Access to coin boxes by drilling through the face of the lock, wherein the drill bit must be axially aligned with the face of the lock, has also been attempted by the unscrupulous person.

Locks of the type securing the coin boxes of coin operated machines generally include a circular keyway adapted to receive the end of a circular key, said key provided with longitudinally extended grooves circumferentially spaced there-on for effecting the setting of the lock tumblers. Since use of the various methods of access to the lock depends upon axial alignment of tools with the face of the lock, various means for detlecting such axial entry have been attempted. Guards and protective devices attached or xed in position with respect to the lock to prohibit axial alignment of any key and/or lock pick or other tool, have discouraged some unauthorized access to the lock. However, experience has indicated that such guards are subject to forcible removal from the lock case or housing, so that complete access to the face of the lock is possible.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a housing for a lock which will deter axial alignment of a lock pick, drill or other instruments with the operating mechanism of the lock.

3,494,159 Patented Feb. 10, 1970 ICC Another object of the present invention is the provision of a housing for a tumbler type lock which is simply designed to achieved trouble-free function of the lock mechanism and provide strength campatible with the structure to which it is attached.

A further object herein is the provision of a housing for a tumbler type lock which will prevent the mechanism thereof from being pulled forcibly from its casing.

It is another object herein to provide a housing for a tumbler type lock in which a key receiving opening formed therein is particularly shaped to allow only the proper key to effect alignment with the operating mechanism of the lock.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a housing for a tumbler type lock which will protect the operating mechanism against dirt, freezing, corrosion or other trouble causing agents which tend to jam the lock mechanism.

The foregoing objects and advantages and other features of the present invention are attained by the provision of a substantially tubular housing adapted to receive the operating mechanism of a tumbler type lock therein. The face portion of said housing is provided with a keyway which deilects axial entry of a key, but which will permit entry of the shank portion of the key and allow the head thereof to align itself with the operating mechanism of the lock, after said key traverses a network of intercommunicating passages or chambers, eccentrically disposed with respect to each other.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those versed in the art when considered in View of the drawings and specications in which;

FIG. 1 illustrates a lock shown in combination with the key properly positioned in the opening of the lock;

FIG. 2 is a view of the housing of the lock in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front end View of the lock housing; and

FIG. 4 is a front end view of the key adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the lock.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an` antipick tumbler lock 10 of the type generally utilized for securing a coin box 11 of a coin operated machine (not shown). Essentially, the coin box 11 comprises a drawer which can be readily inserted into an opening in the wall of the coin operated machine.

In accordance with the present invention, the tumbler lock 10 comprising a housing 12, having a substantially hollow tubular rear chamber 13 for receiving the operating mechanism 14 therein. An adjoining chamber 15, of a slightly smaller diameter than chamber 13, is limited by flange 16 which accommodates code pin 17 of the operating mechanism 14. Said flange 16 protrudes into a chamber 18 which chamber is eccentrically disposed to and connecting with chamber 15. There is provided a further chamber 19 eccentrically disposed with respect to chamber 18, and still a further chamber 20, eccentrically disposed with respect to chamber 19. Said chamber 20 is provided with a face plate 21 over the front thereof, and having an opening 22, said opening being provided with an enlarged opening 22A to allow insertion of a key 23, and a reduced `opening 22B which is .arranged in axial alignment with the key guide 24 of operating mechanism 14 of the lock, so as to permit proper alignment of a proper key therethrough.

The rear chamber nfay be provided with an external threaded surface 25, with flats provided on the body thereof, for securement to a desired portion of a coin operated machine. A flange 26 protruding from the rear of housing 12 is provided, for limiting movement of a conventional rotatable threaded shaft 27 responsive to operating mechanism 14 of the lock and projecting rearwardly from housing 12 for attachment to a coin box and/ or coin operated machine.

Key 23, is provided with circumferentially spaced grooved head 28 and a ange 29 adapted to be received by key guide 24.

In the operation of the invention, enlarged portion 22A is eccentrically disposed with respect to the chamber of the lock. Consequently upon the initial insertion of key 23 through opening 22 of face 21, the key is eccentrically disposed with respect to key guide 24. Accordingly the alignment of key 23 with said key guide is rendered impossible unless shank portion 30 of key 23 is specifically shaped so as to complement the reduced opening 22B of face plate 21 which is in alignment with key guide 24.

As key 23 is inserted with face plate 21 of the housing 12, the reduced opening 22B allows clearance of key ange 29, while the circumferentially spaced grooved head 28 clears the enlarged opening 22A provided therefor. In order of key flange 29, and the grooved head 28 of key 23 to be received in key guide 24 for operation of the lock 10, alignment of said key is accomplished b-y disposing the shank portion 30 thereof into the reduced opening 22B, thereby lodging key ange 29 and grooved head 28 into key guide 24. The route therefore necessary to be followed by key 23 is to first effect entry through opening 22, thence through chamber 20 and finally into chamber 19, each of said chambers being eccentrically positioned with relation to each other as illustrated in FIG. 1.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that unless key 23 specifically shaped to complement key opening 22 and made to follow the network of eccentrically disposed chambers within housing 12, alignment of key 23 with respect to key guide 24 would be impossible. Consequently would-be vandals, thieves or others cannot successfully operate the operating mechanism 14 of the lock without the necessary complementary shapes necessary to effect alignment with key guide 24. It will also be evident that access to the operating mechanism of the lock can only be effected by destruction of the housing of the lock, and not by mere removal of a guard or like protective device.

Although housing 12 assumes a substantially tubular body configuration having a truncated cone shaped front end, it is to be understood that such housing may assume various shapes and configurations.

It is to be understood that specific proportions of the opening 22 of housing 12 can be varied and that numerous variati-ons and combinations of different sizes and shapes are rendered possible with respect to the key head 28 and/ or shank 30 of key 23. Additionally, although the lock has been described with respect to its use with a coin operated vending machine, it is to be understood that such lock can be utilized Where a lock of the nature as herein described can be used effectively.

While the instant invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A one piece housing lock having a plurality of interconnecting chambers and a lock operating mechanism therein and actuated by a key for securement of a device against unauthorized entry thereof comprising:

a rear chamber for receiving therein the actuating mechanism of a lock;

a front access chamber;

at least one medial chamber interconnecting said front and said rear chambers;

means for permitting entry of a key into said front chamber, said means including a faceplate at the entrance thereof, said faceplate being provided with an aperture, said aperture having an enlarged portion eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of said front chamber for the initial reception of said key, and a reduced portion being concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of said front chamber for effecting alignment of said key with the operating mechanism of said lock;

means for directing travel of said key in a serpentine path upon entry thereof into said front chamber to the operating mechanism of the lock; and

means for appending said lock to a device being secured against unauthorized entry thereof.

2. A lock housing according to claim 1, wherein said means for directing travel of said key is a plurality of substantially tubular chambers disposed between said front and rear chambers, said chambers interconnecting with each other and with said front and rear chambers, said chambers being in eccentric relationship to each other and to said front and rear chambers whereby said key, upon entry of said front chamber is required to follow a serpentine path through at least one other chamber before effecting alignment thereof with the operating mechanism of said lock.

3. A lock housing according to claim 1, wherein said key is provided with a shank portion, a grasping area at one end of said shank portion, and a head portion at the other end thereof, said head portion provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves and a flange member disposed in at least one of said grooves.

4. A lock housing according to claim 1, wherein said housing is provided with an externally threaded surface having ats thereupon along at least a portion of the area of said rear chamber for attachment of said housing to a device secured against unauthorized entry thereof.

5. A lock housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein a ange is provided at the boundary of said rear chamber and wherein a shaft member extends outwardly from said operating mechanism, said flange being adapted to limit movement of said shaft in response to actuation thereof by said key for alternately securing and opening a device secured against unauthorized entry thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,334,501 8/ 1967 Greenwald 70-423 3,343,386 9/1967 Hall 70-423 3,444,712 5/ 1969 Greenwald 70-423 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner R. L. WOLFE, Assistant Examiner Us. c1. xn. 

